By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Mr. Kensaku Shikama, Trade Commissioner, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), has asked Ghanaian entrepreneurs seeking to export to the Japanese market to pay attention to safety and quality concerns.
He said health was a major concern to the Japanese and any sense of danger would lead to a boycott of products deemed unfit.
Mr Kensaku was speaking at a seminar in Accra for Ghanaian exporters organised by the Ghana Investment and Promotion Centre on how they could access the Japanese market.
According to him, the Japanese market was difficult to penetrate and exporters needed to pay attention to quality packaging, detailed labelling of products and a deep knowledge of the market.
Besides, it is important that exporters know the market and understand its strict requirement and establish good relationship with Japanese companies.
In May 2006, Japan introduced Positive List system, which severely reduced the level of chemical pesticide residue in food permitted onto that country’s market.
The introduction of the system has led to the discovery of cases of high chemical residue in food imports and many Japanese companies are now looking forward for other sources to import into the Japanese market.
Mr Kensaku said Ghana stood a distinct chance of exporting products that were unique to her and mentioned the unique advantage in the export of shea butter and shea product, since the product is peculiar to the region.
He said because Japan imported goods and food product from surrounding countries Ghanaian exporters could compete in original foods unique to Ghana, as well as products with international quality standard certification such as HACCP and fair trade among others.
Trade relations between Ghana and Japan have been improving over recent years. The value of Japanese exports to Ghana rose from $96.7 million in 2006 to $113.61 million in 2007, representing a 25.2 per cent rise, which Japanese imports from Ghana in 2007 recorded a 56.8 $125.04 million.
The main Japanese exports to Ghana include motor vehicles, tires, construction machineries, cement and motor cycles, while imports from Ghana comprise cocoa beans, other cocoa products such as paste and butter and manganese ore, among others.
JETRO has, since opening an office in Ghana in 2003, been involved with Ghanaian exporter seeking to enhance access of potential Ghanaian products into Japan. It provides guidance on product improvement; and support for Ghanaian firms in entering the Japanese market, among others.
Monday, October 27, 2008
PNC Picks A Woman
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Dr Edward Mahama, presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday announced the choice of a female as his running mate, making the PNC the first party in recent times to do so.
He believes his choice of 49-year-old Catholic evangelist, Petra Maria Amegashie, who hails from Keta in the Volta Region, would add value to the party’s chances of winning the election in December.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) unanimously endorsed the choice at its meeting in Accra yesterday, when Dr. Mahama presented the name for consideration.
“I believe she is a good partner not because she is female but a capable woman,” Dr. Mahama told newsmen shortly after the party’s General Secretary, Bernard Monarh, had announced the decision of the NEC to the media.
The flag bearer described his running mate, who is an international translator and a former Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, as “courageous, affable and charming.”
Explaining why he chose Ms Amegashie over personalities like Kofi Wayo, leader of the National Renaissance Party and George Aguddey, a former presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party whose names were earlier rumoured to be on his mind, Dr Mahama said apart from satisfying the public appeal for a female to be at the presidency, his running mate represented the southern part of Ghana.
“Although I am not a Muslim, I represent the northern sector while she represents the southern sector,” he said, adding that the partnership would ensure regional balance.
Dr. Mahama said he was able to convince Ms. Amegashie, who had already picked forms to file as an Independent presidential aspirant, because they both share the vision of development and values for human development.
He said his choice’s credentials and the fact that she initiated action to vie for the presidency on her own demonstrated that she was a good manager and a courageous woman, attributes which were vital at the presidency.
Reacting to her choice in a telephone interview, Ms Amegashie gave glory to God for the NEC’s decision in accepting her.
“I find it as a divine duty to serve,” she told the Times, adding that it was a manifestation of the will of God to have godly people at the helm of affairs in the management of the country.
Ms. Amegashie will be officially introduced to the media today, at the party headquarters in Accra.
Ms Amegashie attended OLA Girls Secondary School in Ho, from 1974 to 1979, from where she proceeded to the Tema Secondary School from 1983 to 1985 and the K&T School of Evangelism at Takoradi from 1996 to1998.
She moved to Rome, Italy where she trained at the Mission Ad Gentes from 2001 to 2002, after which she became the Coordinator for the mission in charge of Episcopal Conferences of Africa.
Before becoming the Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, she worked with the Catholic Secretariat in 2001, and Novotel Hotel as Director of Reservations.
“My objective is to make a turnover on investments made in me by my motherland,” she says of her personal objective in her curriculum vitae.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Dr Edward Mahama, presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday announced the choice of a female as his running mate, making the PNC the first party in recent times to do so.
He believes his choice of 49-year-old Catholic evangelist, Petra Maria Amegashie, who hails from Keta in the Volta Region, would add value to the party’s chances of winning the election in December.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) unanimously endorsed the choice at its meeting in Accra yesterday, when Dr. Mahama presented the name for consideration.
“I believe she is a good partner not because she is female but a capable woman,” Dr. Mahama told newsmen shortly after the party’s General Secretary, Bernard Monarh, had announced the decision of the NEC to the media.
The flag bearer described his running mate, who is an international translator and a former Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, as “courageous, affable and charming.”
Explaining why he chose Ms Amegashie over personalities like Kofi Wayo, leader of the National Renaissance Party and George Aguddey, a former presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party whose names were earlier rumoured to be on his mind, Dr Mahama said apart from satisfying the public appeal for a female to be at the presidency, his running mate represented the southern part of Ghana.
“Although I am not a Muslim, I represent the northern sector while she represents the southern sector,” he said, adding that the partnership would ensure regional balance.
Dr. Mahama said he was able to convince Ms. Amegashie, who had already picked forms to file as an Independent presidential aspirant, because they both share the vision of development and values for human development.
He said his choice’s credentials and the fact that she initiated action to vie for the presidency on her own demonstrated that she was a good manager and a courageous woman, attributes which were vital at the presidency.
Reacting to her choice in a telephone interview, Ms Amegashie gave glory to God for the NEC’s decision in accepting her.
“I find it as a divine duty to serve,” she told the Times, adding that it was a manifestation of the will of God to have godly people at the helm of affairs in the management of the country.
Ms. Amegashie will be officially introduced to the media today, at the party headquarters in Accra.
Ms Amegashie attended OLA Girls Secondary School in Ho, from 1974 to 1979, from where she proceeded to the Tema Secondary School from 1983 to 1985 and the K&T School of Evangelism at Takoradi from 1996 to1998.
She moved to Rome, Italy where she trained at the Mission Ad Gentes from 2001 to 2002, after which she became the Coordinator for the mission in charge of Episcopal Conferences of Africa.
Before becoming the Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, she worked with the Catholic Secretariat in 2001, and Novotel Hotel as Director of Reservations.
“My objective is to make a turnover on investments made in me by my motherland,” she says of her personal objective in her curriculum vitae.
PNC Outdoors Running Mate
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Petra Maria Amegashie, the running mate of Dr. Edward Mahama, Presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday publicly accepted the offer to partner the PNC leader in the 2008 election, but said she is “not playing second fiddle.”
“I have not settled for second place and I am not playing second fiddle,” she said, explaining that she was backing Dr. Mahama’s campaign with full force as she would have done if she had gone independent.
She said, she would use the same courage with which she had declared her intention to vie for the presidency which is characterised by male dominance, to energise the PNC to win political power.
“I and the PNC and for that matter, Dr. Mahama, are joining forces to face the challenge of wresing power,” a confident looking Ms Amegashie said at a news conference at which she was introduced to the media.
Wearing a white cloth with blue flowery designs, Ms. Amegashie said she had fully accepted the offer and was ready to face the challenges ahead. She was fully aware of the political terrain and the fact that it had not been too friendly to women.
Speaking in a low but firm tone, Ms Amegashie described her selection by the PNC as a success for the PNC and Ghana, and pledged her commitment and support to ensure victory for the party.
The nomination of Ms. Amegashie, 49, a Catholic evangelist and businesswoman, as the running mate to Dr. Mahama was endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee in Accra on Monday, making the PNC the only party so far to have selected a female running mate for the December election.
Though she had earlier picked nomination forms to file as an independent presidential candidate, Dr. Mahama managed to convince her to be his running mate.
Asked what motivated her to go into politics, Ms Amegashie said she was heeding a divine calling to help save Ghanaians from hardship.
She told Dr Mahama: “I represent a voice for women, children, the youth and the disadvantaged in society, and I will be there to support you as Vice President.
“More than anything else, I want to unify our country and to renew the Ghanaian spirit and sense of purpose,” she stated.
She described Dr. Mahama as a selfless individual committed to building a peaceful democracy, saying his vision for Ghana has a major role for women.
“Dr. Mahama offers a new brand of politicking which is issues based and focused on improving the lot of Ghanaians,” she said and added that she accepted the offer because she found her vision in agreement with that of the PNC’s vision as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
“I am bringing a new force of energy into the party,” she said.
In what could be described as comments marking the beginning of her campaign on the ticket of the PNC, she said a PNC government would be committed to the principle that local government was meaningful only when people participated in decision making.She called on all stakeholders in election 2008 to join the PNC to respect the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure peaceful campaigning.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Petra Maria Amegashie, the running mate of Dr. Edward Mahama, Presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday publicly accepted the offer to partner the PNC leader in the 2008 election, but said she is “not playing second fiddle.”
“I have not settled for second place and I am not playing second fiddle,” she said, explaining that she was backing Dr. Mahama’s campaign with full force as she would have done if she had gone independent.
She said, she would use the same courage with which she had declared her intention to vie for the presidency which is characterised by male dominance, to energise the PNC to win political power.
“I and the PNC and for that matter, Dr. Mahama, are joining forces to face the challenge of wresing power,” a confident looking Ms Amegashie said at a news conference at which she was introduced to the media.
Wearing a white cloth with blue flowery designs, Ms. Amegashie said she had fully accepted the offer and was ready to face the challenges ahead. She was fully aware of the political terrain and the fact that it had not been too friendly to women.
Speaking in a low but firm tone, Ms Amegashie described her selection by the PNC as a success for the PNC and Ghana, and pledged her commitment and support to ensure victory for the party.
The nomination of Ms. Amegashie, 49, a Catholic evangelist and businesswoman, as the running mate to Dr. Mahama was endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee in Accra on Monday, making the PNC the only party so far to have selected a female running mate for the December election.
Though she had earlier picked nomination forms to file as an independent presidential candidate, Dr. Mahama managed to convince her to be his running mate.
Asked what motivated her to go into politics, Ms Amegashie said she was heeding a divine calling to help save Ghanaians from hardship.
She told Dr Mahama: “I represent a voice for women, children, the youth and the disadvantaged in society, and I will be there to support you as Vice President.
“More than anything else, I want to unify our country and to renew the Ghanaian spirit and sense of purpose,” she stated.
She described Dr. Mahama as a selfless individual committed to building a peaceful democracy, saying his vision for Ghana has a major role for women.
“Dr. Mahama offers a new brand of politicking which is issues based and focused on improving the lot of Ghanaians,” she said and added that she accepted the offer because she found her vision in agreement with that of the PNC’s vision as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
“I am bringing a new force of energy into the party,” she said.
In what could be described as comments marking the beginning of her campaign on the ticket of the PNC, she said a PNC government would be committed to the principle that local government was meaningful only when people participated in decision making.She called on all stakeholders in election 2008 to join the PNC to respect the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure peaceful campaigning.
The Drama, Fun, And The Disqualified Candidates
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The filing of nominations for the presidential election ended last Friday devoid of the tension that characterised the first day but there was plenty of drama, fun and humour.
For instance, one of the aspiring candidates, Prophet Daniel Nkansah of the New Vision Party (NVP), arrived at the Electoral Commission (EC) with an Imam as his running mate and was surrounded by bodyguards.
He presented only one-half of the forms and even the half were not fully completed.When the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afrari-Gyan, asked for the rest of the forms, Prophet Nkansah, who looked confused, dashed out of the room and never returned until nominations closed.
Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) arrived at the Electoral Commission office at 3:30pm but insisted he would be the last to present his forms.
He, therefore, allowed others like T. N. Ward Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Party and Warrant Officer Class One Tetteh, an Independent Candidate, to go before him.
When Mr Lartey finally appeared before the Commissioners at 5:15pm, 15 minutes after the deadline, he pleaded with the EC Chairman, Dr. Afari-Gyan, to give him an hour more to enable his General Secretary, who he claimed had been caught in traffic, to get to the Commission with the forms.
The chairman agreed and gave him a 30-minute grace period but when the General Secretary arrived with the forms, the Commissioners detected a lot of anomalies.
Some of them had not been endorsed by his supporters from the various constituencies.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The filing of nominations for the presidential election ended last Friday devoid of the tension that characterised the first day but there was plenty of drama, fun and humour.
For instance, one of the aspiring candidates, Prophet Daniel Nkansah of the New Vision Party (NVP), arrived at the Electoral Commission (EC) with an Imam as his running mate and was surrounded by bodyguards.
He presented only one-half of the forms and even the half were not fully completed.When the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afrari-Gyan, asked for the rest of the forms, Prophet Nkansah, who looked confused, dashed out of the room and never returned until nominations closed.
Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) arrived at the Electoral Commission office at 3:30pm but insisted he would be the last to present his forms.
He, therefore, allowed others like T. N. Ward Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Party and Warrant Officer Class One Tetteh, an Independent Candidate, to go before him.
When Mr Lartey finally appeared before the Commissioners at 5:15pm, 15 minutes after the deadline, he pleaded with the EC Chairman, Dr. Afari-Gyan, to give him an hour more to enable his General Secretary, who he claimed had been caught in traffic, to get to the Commission with the forms.
The chairman agreed and gave him a 30-minute grace period but when the General Secretary arrived with the forms, the Commissioners detected a lot of anomalies.
Some of them had not been endorsed by his supporters from the various constituencies.
Balloting Today
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
SEVEN of the eight presidential candidates contesting the presidency in the December 7 polls will today ballot for positions on the presidential ballot paper.
The eighth candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who is an independent contestant, according to the EC, will not be balloting as he will automatically be on the ballot by virtue of the fact that independent candidates come after candidates contesting on party tickets.
Today’s balloting will determine the positions of the party symbols and pictures of the flagbearers, namely Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party, Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party, Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats, and Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party.
The contesting parties are likely to use their positions on the ballot paper for campaign slogans as had been in the past with the adoption of “Esoro ho” and “Asee ho” catchphrases.
The positions on the ballot are also crucial to the parties as they believe it enhances their identification by the electorate, especially the non-literates.
It is not clear how the independent candidate would use the “Asee ho” position to his advantage, but campaign managers of the candidate told the Times that the opportunity would be adequately and effectively utilised.
With the “Asee ho” spot gone, the big parties would be praying and hoping to grab the topmost spot so as to use the “Esoro ho” advantage.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
SEVEN of the eight presidential candidates contesting the presidency in the December 7 polls will today ballot for positions on the presidential ballot paper.
The eighth candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who is an independent contestant, according to the EC, will not be balloting as he will automatically be on the ballot by virtue of the fact that independent candidates come after candidates contesting on party tickets.
Today’s balloting will determine the positions of the party symbols and pictures of the flagbearers, namely Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party, Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party, Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats, and Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party.
The contesting parties are likely to use their positions on the ballot paper for campaign slogans as had been in the past with the adoption of “Esoro ho” and “Asee ho” catchphrases.
The positions on the ballot are also crucial to the parties as they believe it enhances their identification by the electorate, especially the non-literates.
It is not clear how the independent candidate would use the “Asee ho” position to his advantage, but campaign managers of the candidate told the Times that the opportunity would be adequately and effectively utilised.
With the “Asee ho” spot gone, the big parties would be praying and hoping to grab the topmost spot so as to use the “Esoro ho” advantage.
EC GIVES CONDITIONS
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday prescribed what he termed as the only method of achieving successful election in December – commitment of all stakeholders to fair play.
He told the first-ever meeting between the Electoral Commissioners and presidential candidates of the various political parties in Accra, that although the EC was committed to doing its part for credible elections, the success of the general elections would largely depend on the actions and inactions of all stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The success of the elections would depend on the nature of campaign by the presidential candidates; whether they will see each other as aspirants to the highest office of the land and be civil in their language, and whether they will appoint responsible agents who would shun violence or not,” he said.
He was speaking at the meeting attended by all but two of the flag-bearers, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Congress.
Both were reportedly out of Accra on the campaign trail.
It would also depend on whether the police will act neutral and fair to all parties, whether the government will not abuse incumbency, whether the media will give fair and equal access to all parties, whether people will cast only one ballot, whether people will not be prevented from casting their ballot, and whether the courts will deal with electoral cases in a timely manner.’’
The dialogue with the flag-bearers, a project facilitated by KAB Governance Consult and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also aimed at providing authentic information on the right s and responsibilities of candidates and their agents.
It was closed to the media after the opening ceremony, a decision which according to the organisers, was to create a platform for the EC to update the flag-bearers and their parties of preparations towards the elections.
It was also to discuss concerns of the parties regarding developments in the electoral process and iron out differences on issues of alleged bloating of the voters register and the provision of the final register to the parties.
Dr. Afari-Gyan asked all the stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to be alive to their responsibilities, and promised that “we will be transparent in preparations and apply the law uniformly without fear or favour.”
He explained that the meeting was not replacing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, a platform through which electoral issues are discussed by the EC and the parties.
In attendance were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP and his running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, and Ms Petra Amegashie, vice presidential candidate of the PNC.
Others were Thomas Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, flag-bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei, flag-bearer of the Reformed Patriotic Democrat (RPD) and Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate.
It had the theme, ‘Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.’
The NDC was represented by its chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia respectively.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday prescribed what he termed as the only method of achieving successful election in December – commitment of all stakeholders to fair play.
He told the first-ever meeting between the Electoral Commissioners and presidential candidates of the various political parties in Accra, that although the EC was committed to doing its part for credible elections, the success of the general elections would largely depend on the actions and inactions of all stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The success of the elections would depend on the nature of campaign by the presidential candidates; whether they will see each other as aspirants to the highest office of the land and be civil in their language, and whether they will appoint responsible agents who would shun violence or not,” he said.
He was speaking at the meeting attended by all but two of the flag-bearers, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Congress.
Both were reportedly out of Accra on the campaign trail.
It would also depend on whether the police will act neutral and fair to all parties, whether the government will not abuse incumbency, whether the media will give fair and equal access to all parties, whether people will cast only one ballot, whether people will not be prevented from casting their ballot, and whether the courts will deal with electoral cases in a timely manner.’’
The dialogue with the flag-bearers, a project facilitated by KAB Governance Consult and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also aimed at providing authentic information on the right s and responsibilities of candidates and their agents.
It was closed to the media after the opening ceremony, a decision which according to the organisers, was to create a platform for the EC to update the flag-bearers and their parties of preparations towards the elections.
It was also to discuss concerns of the parties regarding developments in the electoral process and iron out differences on issues of alleged bloating of the voters register and the provision of the final register to the parties.
Dr. Afari-Gyan asked all the stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to be alive to their responsibilities, and promised that “we will be transparent in preparations and apply the law uniformly without fear or favour.”
He explained that the meeting was not replacing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, a platform through which electoral issues are discussed by the EC and the parties.
In attendance were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP and his running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, and Ms Petra Amegashie, vice presidential candidate of the PNC.
Others were Thomas Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, flag-bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei, flag-bearer of the Reformed Patriotic Democrat (RPD) and Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate.
It had the theme, ‘Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.’
The NDC was represented by its chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia respectively.
'The Future Is For The Youth, Not For The Uneducated'
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
A director at the Commercial Crime Unit of the Police CID headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Felix Mawusi, has admonished young people to take their education seriously since that is the only way they could become productive adults.
“Although you are the future leaders, you must have the prerequisite conditions, such as being an educated adult to become a good leader,” he told the youth of the Church of Christ in Accra at a lecture on Monday.
The lecture, which was on the theme: “The youth and his calling,” formed part of the 2008 Youth Week celebration of the Alajo branch of the church.
DSP Mawusi, who is a leader of the church, told the audience which included young people from the various branches of the church, there was the need for young people to prepare adequately for the future.
“You must prepare today to become a leader tomorrow,” he said, reminding them that leadership in future would not get to them automatically at adulthood, but only to those who have developed themselves for that opportunity.
He observed that the current generation of young people was faced with many influences and social vices which tend to draw them from God and their studies.
DSP Mawusi, however, asked them to be strong in the face of all bad influences,and place their God and education first at all times.
Basing his lecture on Ezekiel 22:30, he said God uses educated, skilled and wise individuals to lead his people.
He therefore reminded them that as young people and students, their only duty is to study.
“You do not have any excuse to fail to become a leader in future,” he said.
DSP Mawusi urged them to be determined and see all problems as challenges that have to be overcome on the road to success.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
A director at the Commercial Crime Unit of the Police CID headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Felix Mawusi, has admonished young people to take their education seriously since that is the only way they could become productive adults.
“Although you are the future leaders, you must have the prerequisite conditions, such as being an educated adult to become a good leader,” he told the youth of the Church of Christ in Accra at a lecture on Monday.
The lecture, which was on the theme: “The youth and his calling,” formed part of the 2008 Youth Week celebration of the Alajo branch of the church.
DSP Mawusi, who is a leader of the church, told the audience which included young people from the various branches of the church, there was the need for young people to prepare adequately for the future.
“You must prepare today to become a leader tomorrow,” he said, reminding them that leadership in future would not get to them automatically at adulthood, but only to those who have developed themselves for that opportunity.
He observed that the current generation of young people was faced with many influences and social vices which tend to draw them from God and their studies.
DSP Mawusi, however, asked them to be strong in the face of all bad influences,and place their God and education first at all times.
Basing his lecture on Ezekiel 22:30, he said God uses educated, skilled and wise individuals to lead his people.
He therefore reminded them that as young people and students, their only duty is to study.
“You do not have any excuse to fail to become a leader in future,” he said.
DSP Mawusi urged them to be determined and see all problems as challenges that have to be overcome on the road to success.
IEA Launches Strategy Paper
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
The first Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, with the aim of significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional rule, has been launched in Accra.
The DCSP proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralisation process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.
In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
It also recommends the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor of the Central University College, launching the strategy document which analyses the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms, called for decency in the electoral system and asked politicians to respect each other.
He said decency was critical to the strengthening of a viable political and democratic culture in the country, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in democratic governance.
He commended the various parties for their contributions to the creation of the document, saying it was a positive signal that politicians could collaborate productively.
Dr Charles Mensa, President of the IEA, urged the political parties to commit themselves to the recommendations in the document so as to effectively facilitate their implementation.
He said the document is critical to Ghana’s democratic development, since it can serve as a road map to entrench constitutional rule in the country.
For his part, Roel Von Meijenfedlt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute of Multi-party Democracy, partners of the IEA, lauded Ghana’s democratic process, and commended all stakeholders, particularly politicians for resorting to dialogue in addressing issues.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
The first Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, with the aim of significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional rule, has been launched in Accra.
The DCSP proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralisation process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.
In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
It also recommends the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor of the Central University College, launching the strategy document which analyses the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms, called for decency in the electoral system and asked politicians to respect each other.
He said decency was critical to the strengthening of a viable political and democratic culture in the country, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in democratic governance.
He commended the various parties for their contributions to the creation of the document, saying it was a positive signal that politicians could collaborate productively.
Dr Charles Mensa, President of the IEA, urged the political parties to commit themselves to the recommendations in the document so as to effectively facilitate their implementation.
He said the document is critical to Ghana’s democratic development, since it can serve as a road map to entrench constitutional rule in the country.
For his part, Roel Von Meijenfedlt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute of Multi-party Democracy, partners of the IEA, lauded Ghana’s democratic process, and commended all stakeholders, particularly politicians for resorting to dialogue in addressing issues.
HOW THE PARTIES STAND
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Excitement and tension characterised yesterday’s balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper for the December elections, as all the seven participating parties claimed that their position on the ballot paper symbolised victory for them on December 7.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which found itself at the first spot on the ballot paper, said this represented victory in December.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) is placed second after the NPP, a position the party described as symbolising victory since it conforms with its “Two sure, Two direct!” slogan.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), picked the third position, which its officials described as a divine number linked to the “Trinity.”
The fourth spot went to the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a breakaway group from the NDC, while the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) picked the fifth spot.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is sixth, while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) picked the seventh place.
Independent candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who was not required to take part in the ballot, has the last spot reserved for him by virtue of the electoral rule that independent candidates come after the parties.
This means that the party symbols and pictures of the flag-bearers will be arranged in the order of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP), Dr. Edward Mahama(PNC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC), Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP), Thomas Ward-Brew (DPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, (CPP), Kwabena Adjei (RPD) and Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (Independent).
Soon after the balloting, which was supervised by Sarfo Kantanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, some of the parties started coining slogans reflecting their positions on the ballot paper.
There was excitement in the EC’s Conference Room as high-ranking executives of the parties gathered for the balloting around 10am.
They laughed and shared jokes, with particularly the NPP and NDC light-heartedly talking about election rigging.
The NDC protested against the use of a transparent box from which the folded papers would be picked, but Mr. Kankanta explained that the box would be held high enough to prevent the representatives from looking into it.
But tension set in as the rules for the exercise were announced by the EC’s Director of Elections, Kofi Arhin.
By the rules, a first balloting was done to determine the order in which the second balloting to choose the positions would be done.
The picking for the first ballot was done according to the order in which the parties filed their presidential nominations on October 16 and 17.
According to the result of the first ballot, Francis Kyei, General Secretary of the RPD, picked first at the second balloting, followed by CPP Treasurer, Mike Eghan and the NDC Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, who picked number three in the first ballot and the same number in the second ballot.
Jake Obestebi Lamptey, Director of the Akufo-Addo campaign, picked for the NPP. He picked fourth and first positions in the two events respectively, while John Amekah, General Secretary of the DFP, picked numbers five and four respectively for his party.
Alhaji Ramadan, chairman and Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth Organiser of the PNC, picked in the first and second balloting for the party, while Ward-Brew picked the last for the DPP.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey described his choice of the top slot for his flag-bearer as the doing of God. “This is purely divine,” he told the Times, “an indication that the NPP would be first in the election results”.
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser of NDC reacted with a shout: “This is the Trinity — God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” showing up three fingers on his right hand.
He said, “NDC believes in God, and the fact that the party picked the number three twice in the two balloting, and the fact that Prof. Mills is contesting for the third time, means God is giving victory to the party.”
Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, told newsmen that although the party does not believe that the position on the ballot would determine how people would vote, the party would continue to market itself, including using its sixth position to get the electorate to identify with the party.
However, party followers said its choice reflcts the attainment of independence — March 6.
As the party executives and members left the conference room to work their placement on the ballot paper into their campaign strategies, some of their followers were heard shouting, “Esoro ho,” “Two sure, Two direct,” “Number three” and “The trinity”, ‘March 6’, among other slogans.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Excitement and tension characterised yesterday’s balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper for the December elections, as all the seven participating parties claimed that their position on the ballot paper symbolised victory for them on December 7.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which found itself at the first spot on the ballot paper, said this represented victory in December.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) is placed second after the NPP, a position the party described as symbolising victory since it conforms with its “Two sure, Two direct!” slogan.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), picked the third position, which its officials described as a divine number linked to the “Trinity.”
The fourth spot went to the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a breakaway group from the NDC, while the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) picked the fifth spot.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is sixth, while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) picked the seventh place.
Independent candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who was not required to take part in the ballot, has the last spot reserved for him by virtue of the electoral rule that independent candidates come after the parties.
This means that the party symbols and pictures of the flag-bearers will be arranged in the order of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP), Dr. Edward Mahama(PNC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC), Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP), Thomas Ward-Brew (DPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, (CPP), Kwabena Adjei (RPD) and Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (Independent).
Soon after the balloting, which was supervised by Sarfo Kantanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, some of the parties started coining slogans reflecting their positions on the ballot paper.
There was excitement in the EC’s Conference Room as high-ranking executives of the parties gathered for the balloting around 10am.
They laughed and shared jokes, with particularly the NPP and NDC light-heartedly talking about election rigging.
The NDC protested against the use of a transparent box from which the folded papers would be picked, but Mr. Kankanta explained that the box would be held high enough to prevent the representatives from looking into it.
But tension set in as the rules for the exercise were announced by the EC’s Director of Elections, Kofi Arhin.
By the rules, a first balloting was done to determine the order in which the second balloting to choose the positions would be done.
The picking for the first ballot was done according to the order in which the parties filed their presidential nominations on October 16 and 17.
According to the result of the first ballot, Francis Kyei, General Secretary of the RPD, picked first at the second balloting, followed by CPP Treasurer, Mike Eghan and the NDC Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, who picked number three in the first ballot and the same number in the second ballot.
Jake Obestebi Lamptey, Director of the Akufo-Addo campaign, picked for the NPP. He picked fourth and first positions in the two events respectively, while John Amekah, General Secretary of the DFP, picked numbers five and four respectively for his party.
Alhaji Ramadan, chairman and Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth Organiser of the PNC, picked in the first and second balloting for the party, while Ward-Brew picked the last for the DPP.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey described his choice of the top slot for his flag-bearer as the doing of God. “This is purely divine,” he told the Times, “an indication that the NPP would be first in the election results”.
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser of NDC reacted with a shout: “This is the Trinity — God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” showing up three fingers on his right hand.
He said, “NDC believes in God, and the fact that the party picked the number three twice in the two balloting, and the fact that Prof. Mills is contesting for the third time, means God is giving victory to the party.”
Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, told newsmen that although the party does not believe that the position on the ballot would determine how people would vote, the party would continue to market itself, including using its sixth position to get the electorate to identify with the party.
However, party followers said its choice reflcts the attainment of independence — March 6.
As the party executives and members left the conference room to work their placement on the ballot paper into their campaign strategies, some of their followers were heard shouting, “Esoro ho,” “Two sure, Two direct,” “Number three” and “The trinity”, ‘March 6’, among other slogans.
MiDA Gives $101m For Tetteh Quarshie-Mallam Road Project
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 23 October 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) which is managing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) has allocated $101million for the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie – Mallam road in Accra.
The amount covers the construction itself and a compensation package for some 1,700 structures that would be affected along the 14-kilometre stretch.
The construction has been divided into two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of the three-lane dual carriageway from Tetteh Quarshie interchange to Apenkwa, near Achimota, which starts at the end of this month.
At the end of the construction, the road which is currently a single lane carriage way, would have three lanes, eight interchanges and several access links to ensure good traffic flow.
Koranteng Yorke, Infrastructure Manager of MiDA, told the Times, during a sensitisation programme in Accra to educate and dialogue with residents along the stretch that the first phase were expected to be completed in 30 months.
The sensitisation programme formed part of the Environmental Assessment Impact of the project which requires that adequate resettlement measures be developed to deal with the concerns of those likely to be affected by project.
Mr. Yorke said that facilities to be affected include both movable and immovable structures, mostly used for small scale businesses along the road.
He said the original right of way, which is the width, was reduced from 90 metres to 82 metres to avoid affecting too many structures along the corridor.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2006, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Compact was signed on behalf of the government of Ghana together with Ambassador Daniel Danilovich, the Chief Executive of the Mellennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
With the signing of the compact, the MCC agreed to grant to the government an amount not exceeding US$547,009,000 during the compact term to enable the government to implement the programme and achieve the objectives.
Unlike other traditional development assistance programmes where the donor proposes how funds are used, countries selected under the MCA propose programmes to receive funding.
The MCA , introduced by the US to increase aid to developing countries is designed to allow the developing world to take ownership and responsibility for funds provided by the MCC.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) which is managing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) has allocated $101million for the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie – Mallam road in Accra.
The amount covers the construction itself and a compensation package for some 1,700 structures that would be affected along the 14-kilometre stretch.
The construction has been divided into two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of the three-lane dual carriageway from Tetteh Quarshie interchange to Apenkwa, near Achimota, which starts at the end of this month.
At the end of the construction, the road which is currently a single lane carriage way, would have three lanes, eight interchanges and several access links to ensure good traffic flow.
Koranteng Yorke, Infrastructure Manager of MiDA, told the Times, during a sensitisation programme in Accra to educate and dialogue with residents along the stretch that the first phase were expected to be completed in 30 months.
The sensitisation programme formed part of the Environmental Assessment Impact of the project which requires that adequate resettlement measures be developed to deal with the concerns of those likely to be affected by project.
Mr. Yorke said that facilities to be affected include both movable and immovable structures, mostly used for small scale businesses along the road.
He said the original right of way, which is the width, was reduced from 90 metres to 82 metres to avoid affecting too many structures along the corridor.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2006, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Compact was signed on behalf of the government of Ghana together with Ambassador Daniel Danilovich, the Chief Executive of the Mellennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
With the signing of the compact, the MCC agreed to grant to the government an amount not exceeding US$547,009,000 during the compact term to enable the government to implement the programme and achieve the objectives.
Unlike other traditional development assistance programmes where the donor proposes how funds are used, countries selected under the MCA propose programmes to receive funding.
The MCA , introduced by the US to increase aid to developing countries is designed to allow the developing world to take ownership and responsibility for funds provided by the MCC.
EC To Mount Electronic Scoreboards
From Edmund Mingle, Koforidua
Monday, 27 October 2008
The Electoral Commission (EC) will mount electronic scoreboards in all the 10 regional capitals to show the presidential and parliamentary results of the December 7 election.
The scoreboards, said to have been donated by a foreign company, would have one mounted at the Independence Square, Accra representing the national scoreboard to show all the results across the country.
Albert Kofi Arhin, the EC’s Director of Elections, who announced this to journalists undergoing training on election reporting here on Saturday, could not immediately provide the details of the donor, but said the company was being represented by a Ghanaian.
He was optimistic that the electronic boards would speed up the process of providing results of the elections to the public.
If successful, it would be the first time the country would have electronic scoreboards for general elections.
The EC has used manual scoreboards, which involve EC personnel climbing ladders to write the results on the large boards, since the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections in all the regional capitals.
It did not use scoreboards for the 2004 elections, but rather had one mounted at the Ghana International Press Centre where the media disseminated the results.
Mr. Arhin, speaking on preparations towards December 7, gave the assurance that adequate measures have been instituted to ensure transparency and to plug all loop holes that could be used to rig.
For instance, he said the silicon level in the indelible ink has been increased to make it impossible for voters to erase the marks on their thumbs.
In addition, he said those who have registered more than once can only vote once because any attempt to vote twice would be immediately detected at the polling station.
He said also that the declaration forms on which the returning officers issues the results and signed by the party agents, would have carbon copies distributed to the party agents, rather than the previous method of photocopying the declaration form for distribution to the agents.
“To the extent that we are asking all the parties to present reliable polling agents, it will be impossible to rig the elections by any party,” he said.
Charles Addei, Director for Training at the EC, said the Commission is expected to engage more than 110,600 temporary staff to man the polling stations during the December 7 election.
The temporary workers, whose services he considered as crucial in the conduct of the elections, are made of 110,000 polling station staff consisting of one presiding member and assistants for each of the about 22,000 polling stations.
In addition, there would be 5,690 staff for the constituency, consisting 230 Returning officers and two deputies each for each of the 230 constituencies.
He said most of the temporary staff, who have been vetted to ascertain their credibility and neutrality, are being educated about their duties on election day.“Whether the elections day
He said although the EC has scrutinised them after receiving the applications for the job, “we can’t entirely vouch for their credibility and neutrality. We can only hope for their reliability.”
Monday, 27 October 2008
The Electoral Commission (EC) will mount electronic scoreboards in all the 10 regional capitals to show the presidential and parliamentary results of the December 7 election.
The scoreboards, said to have been donated by a foreign company, would have one mounted at the Independence Square, Accra representing the national scoreboard to show all the results across the country.
Albert Kofi Arhin, the EC’s Director of Elections, who announced this to journalists undergoing training on election reporting here on Saturday, could not immediately provide the details of the donor, but said the company was being represented by a Ghanaian.
He was optimistic that the electronic boards would speed up the process of providing results of the elections to the public.
If successful, it would be the first time the country would have electronic scoreboards for general elections.
The EC has used manual scoreboards, which involve EC personnel climbing ladders to write the results on the large boards, since the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections in all the regional capitals.
It did not use scoreboards for the 2004 elections, but rather had one mounted at the Ghana International Press Centre where the media disseminated the results.
Mr. Arhin, speaking on preparations towards December 7, gave the assurance that adequate measures have been instituted to ensure transparency and to plug all loop holes that could be used to rig.
For instance, he said the silicon level in the indelible ink has been increased to make it impossible for voters to erase the marks on their thumbs.
In addition, he said those who have registered more than once can only vote once because any attempt to vote twice would be immediately detected at the polling station.
He said also that the declaration forms on which the returning officers issues the results and signed by the party agents, would have carbon copies distributed to the party agents, rather than the previous method of photocopying the declaration form for distribution to the agents.
“To the extent that we are asking all the parties to present reliable polling agents, it will be impossible to rig the elections by any party,” he said.
Charles Addei, Director for Training at the EC, said the Commission is expected to engage more than 110,600 temporary staff to man the polling stations during the December 7 election.
The temporary workers, whose services he considered as crucial in the conduct of the elections, are made of 110,000 polling station staff consisting of one presiding member and assistants for each of the about 22,000 polling stations.
In addition, there would be 5,690 staff for the constituency, consisting 230 Returning officers and two deputies each for each of the 230 constituencies.
He said most of the temporary staff, who have been vetted to ascertain their credibility and neutrality, are being educated about their duties on election day.“Whether the elections day
He said although the EC has scrutinised them after receiving the applications for the job, “we can’t entirely vouch for their credibility and neutrality. We can only hope for their reliability.”
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